In terms of women’s prospects and standing in Singapore society, much progress has been accomplished over the last 50 years. From education and access to the labour force to activism and lobbying for women’s rights, the lives of women in this country now are significantly different from those of prior generations of women.
Women’s Rights
Women’s rights refer to the social, political, and economic rights that women have fought for and continue to fight for to achieve equality with men. Historically, women have been denied many basic rights, including the right to vote, own property, receive an education, work outside the home, and make decisions about their own bodies.
The struggle for women’s rights has been ongoing for centuries and has been led by women’s rights activists and organisations around the world.
Some of the most notable achievements in the fight for women’s rights include the right to vote in many countries, the legalisation of birth control and abortion, the passage of anti-discrimination laws, and the establishment of women’s shelters and other support services for victims of domestic violence.
Despite these achievements, there is still much work to be done to ensure that women have full equality with men in all areas of life.
Women continue to face discrimination and harassment in the workplace, unequal pay, limited access to healthcare and education, and violence against them in many forms. The fight for women’s rights is ongoing and requires continued advocacy and activism to achieve full equality for women.
Lee Kuan Yew
Lee Kuan Yew was a Singaporean politician and statesman who played a pivotal role in the founding and development of modern Singapore. He was born on September 16, 1923, and passed away on March 23, 2015, at the age of 91.
Lee Kuan Yew served as the first Prime Minister of Singapore from 1959 to 1990, leading the country from its independence from Malaysia in 1965 until he stepped down as Prime Minister in 1990. He then served as Senior Minister until 2004, and Minister Mentor until 2011.
During his time in office, Lee Kuan Yew transformed Singapore from a third-world country with high unemployment and social unrest into a prosperous and modern city-state with a highly developed economy and a world-class education system. He implemented policies that prioritised economic development, education, and social stability, and made Singapore a hub for international business and finance.
Lee Kuan Yew was known for his authoritarian leadership style and his strict policies on issues such as crime, drug use, and freedom of speech. However, he was also widely respected for his vision and his success in transforming Singapore into a prosperous and successful nation.
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Lee Kuan Yew and the Women of Singapore
On top of these, Lee Kuan Yew was a strong advocate for gender equality and women’s rights in Singapore, and he recognised the important role that women played in the country’s development and progress. He believed that empowering women and providing them with equal opportunities in education, employment, and politics was essential for Singapore’s growth and success.
Lee Kuan Yew was well-loved by the women of Singapore for his progressive stance on women’s rights and his efforts to improve gender equality in the country. Under his leadership, women were encouraged to pursue education and careers, and policies were implemented to support working mothers.
He also advocated for women’s political participation and appointed several women to prominent positions in government. As a result, women in Singapore have made significant strides in areas such as education, employment, and leadership.
Lee Kuan Yew Speech
On September 1, 1975, founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew spoke about how Singapore must educate and utilise the abilities and energies of our women, putting in place childcare services near businesses to enable women to stay in the workforce.
Lee Kuan Yew was a strong advocate for gender equality and women’s rights, and he believed that empowering women was essential for Singapore’s development and progress. He recognised the important role that women played in the workforce and encouraged their participation in all sectors of society.
During his time as Prime Minister, he implemented policies that provided equal opportunities for women in education, employment, and politics.
Here’s a brief key points and summary of Lee Kuan Yew’s speech during NTUC’S International Women’s Year in 1975:
Shift in women’s role in industrialised societies
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The role of women in industrial societies has changed significantly in the last 100 years, leading to demands for political equality, the right to vote, equal rights, before and after marriage, and ownership of property. The trend is to eliminate bias, prejudice and discrimination in opportunities for education, jobs and promotions.
Women’s role in agricultural societies has traditionally been to work in the fields, bring up children, and perform household duties, but this has changed with industrialisation.
Education as the key to change
The key that brought this change is education. Old-fashioned attitudes of teaching women enough to be literate and useful wives have undergone profound changes in the last 20 years and this is reflected most in university education.
From economic dependence to economic independence
The only differences between men and women workers are physical and biological, and women are equal to men in intellectual capacity. However, with economic independence, the dependent position of wives must change, resulting in higher divorce rates and broken homes for children.
We have been fortunate in educating women, opening up jobs for them, and having them more independent, without too great an upset in traditional family relationships.
Government’s role in empowering women
Government policy encourages women’s education and employment, and parents have changed their attitudes to send their daughters for secondary and tertiary education as they would their sons.
We need to organise new social institutions and organisations to help married women look after their children while they are at work, such as creches and kindergartens near factories or homes staffed by well-trained workers.
Traditional male-dominant Asian societies have not yet seen a shift in social attitudes towards helping in household work by husbands. To ensure that all women become equal to men in education, employment and promotions, lower birth rates are needed to ensure that the family framework does not suffer from divorce or neglect of the children.
Societies that do not educate and use their women are likely to be worse off, while those that do are likely to provide better lives for their people.
International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It is observed annually on March 8th and has been recognised since the early 1900s. The day is an opportunity to raise awareness about women’s rights and gender inequality, as well as to honour and celebrate the contributions of women to society.
The theme for International Women’s Day varies each year, and it serves as a call to action for people to help create a more gender-balanced world. The day is marked by various events and activities, including marches, rallies, conferences, and cultural programs, to promote women’s rights and gender equality.
International Women’s Day is an important reminder that gender equality is still an ongoing struggle in many parts of the world, and that everyone has a role to play in promoting gender equity and creating a more just and inclusive society for all.
Women’s Month
Women’s month is a month-long celebration that honours and recognises the contributions and achievements of women throughout history. It is typically observed in March in many countries, although the exact dates and duration may vary depending on the location.
Women’s month includes a range of events and activities, such as panel discussions, workshops, concerts, art exhibits, and film screenings, all aimed at celebrating women and promoting gender equality. The month provides an opportunity to highlight the many challenges that women face around the world, including discrimination, gender-based violence, and unequal access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
The theme of women’s month may vary each year, and it often reflects the current social and political issues affecting women. For example, in some years, the theme may focus on the #MeToo movement, reproductive rights, or the gender pay gap.
Overall, Women’s month serves as an important reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality and the need to continue working towards a world where all women have access to the same opportunities and rights as men.
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